VandeVelde goes from unknown to probable Flyer

VandeVelde goes from unknown to probable Flyer

WASHINGTON -- From the get-go, Chris VandeVelde slipped into the Flyers' training camp under the radar, signing a minor-league deal in early September.

No one knew much about him. No one gave him much of a chance. No one thought he’d last this long, either.

Well, VandeVelde has.

In fact, unless another bomb drops from the Flyers' front office, the 26-year-old has won the vacant spot at left wing over Austrian Michael Raffl and Phantom/Flyer Tye McGinn (see story).

Raffl was sent to the Phantoms on Friday afternoon; McGinn went back after Thursday’s loss in New Jersey.

“I did kind of sign late and it was an AHL deal,” VandeVelde said before the Flyers' preseason-finale loss on Friday (see story). “Not a lot of guys knew about me coming into camp. I just came into camp with a positive attitude, work hard every day and open some eyes. I think I have done that so far.

“Just being on an AHL contract, to make it this far is something in itself. There are still cuts to be made. Just go out and try to have a better game than [Thursday] night [in New Jersey].”

General manager Paul Holmgren said VandeVelde’s one advantage over Raffl, who has played his entire career in Europe, was North American experience -- 38 games in the NHL with Edmonton; 194 in the AHL.

You can thank Flyers assistant GM Ron Hextall for the “discovery” here. VandeVelde played college hockey with Hextall’s son, Brett, at North Dakota.

VandeVelde kept in touch with Hextall over the summer, seeking a contract once his deal with the Oilers expired.

Now he’s here and will likely make the final roster cut this weekend over 19-year-old center Scott Laughton, who has junior eligibility and figures to go back to Oshawa.

In this camp, VandeVelde has played mostly wing but played center with Edmonton.

“I played center more [in my career],” he said. “I will do anything to stay up here. Whatever they need.”

Laughton centered him and Adam Hall.

All this said, VandeVelde logged just 6:00 in ice time on Friday while Laughton had 10:35, competing on the power play and penalty kill.

Laviolette said he thought Laughton played well in his final two games even though Laughton said that was not the case in either contest.

Either way, it still looks like Laughton will get a full nine games before a final decision is made.

NHL Notes: Oilers sign star Leon Draisaitl to mega 8-year contract

NHL Notes: Oilers sign star Leon Draisaitl to mega 8-year contract

EDMONTON, Alberta -- The Edmonton Oilers have signed center Leon Draisaitl to an eight-year contract extension with an average annual value of $8.5 million.

The extension runs through the 2024-25 season, similar to the eight-year, $100-million extension superstar captain Connor McDavid signed with the team in July.

With the signings, the Oilers are banking on McDavid and Draisaitl providing a potent one-two punch for the team as it looks to build on last season's return to the playoffs after a decade of futility.

Draisaitl, a 21-year-old German, had 77 points (29 goals, 48 assists) last season, his third in the NHL.

He finished eighth among NHL scorers, and second on the Oilers behind McDavid.

He led the Oilers in scoring during the 2017 playoffs, posting 16 points (six goals, 10 assists) in 13 games.

Draisaitl was selected third overall by the Oilers at the 2015 draft (see full story).

Avalanche: Hobey Baker winner Butcher now free agentCollege hockey's top player is an NHL free agent after former University of Denver defenseman Will Butcher allowed a deadline to pass without signing with the Colorado Avalanche.

The Avalanche selected Butcher in the fifth round of the 2013 draft and had until Tuesday to sign the Hobey Baker Award winner who led Denver to a national championship in April.

A person with direct knowledge of the discussions told The Associated Press on Wednesday that Butcher already has had discussions with the Buffalo Sabres, New Jersey Devils and NHL-expansion Vegas Golden Knights. The person said Butcher has not yet narrowed his list, and is also talking with other teams.

The person spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity because the talks are private.

The Denver Post first reported the three specific teams expressing interest in Butcher (see full story).

Wild: Cullen comes home for 21st NHL seasonThe Minnesota Wild and center Matt Cullen have agreed to a one-year, $1 million contract, bringing him back to his home state for a 21st season in the NHL.

The Wild announced the deal, which includes $700,000 in potential performance bonuses, on Wednesday.

Cullen played the last two years with Pittsburgh, winning consecutive Stanley Cups with the Penguins. He played three seasons for the Wild from 2010-13, his first return to Minnesota since launching his career at Moorhead High School and St. Cloud State.

Cullen, who will turn 41 on Nov. 2, had 13 goals and 18 assists in 72 games in 2016-17 for the Penguins, plus two goals and seven assists in 25 playoff games. He has played in 1,366 career regular season games, the sixth-most among active players (see full story).